Cabos Restaurant
8570 Auburn-Folsom Road, Granite Bay
(916) 797-1996
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
The real steal: Enjoy draft beers for $3, well drinks and wine by the glass for $4, and house margaritas for $4.50 during happy hour. You also will get complimentary homemade flour tortilla chips and salsa, as well as speedy service, so you spend less time waiting to order and more time enjoying your meal. The restaurant is beginning to offer specially priced appetizers: mini tacos of carnitas, shredded beef or chicken for $1 each. They are garnished with cilantro and onions. For $4.50, there's a quesadilla filled with Monterey Jack cheese and your choice of shredded beef or chicken. It's served with sour cream and guacamole.
The vibe: Cabos likes to make you feel as though you've gone south on vacation. Fake macaws and parrots abound, and there's a straw palapa over the bar and bold pops of color on the walls. The restaurant takes its decorative theme from its namesake city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. You'll even find a boat decoration hanging from the wall. However, all the televisions are definitely channel U.S.A.
Signature drink: Since you're visiting Mexico, a house margarita is a must-do, and they're priced at $4.50 during happy hour. This one is made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
Bathroom break: The bathroom is near the back of the restaurant. It has two stalls, plenty of mirror and sink space, and colorful walls.
Alternative libations: If margaritas aren't your drink of choice, try the raspberry mojito. It is made with fresh raspberries and mint, raspberry vodka, a hint of sweet and sour, and splash of soda.
Something extra: Happy hour works all over the restaurant, but the bar is the best spot. The straw palapa overhead and the decorative macaw sipping on a Corona on one end of the bar send a message: Leave your cares at the door.
Land Ocean Restaurant
2720 East Bidwell St., Folsom
(916) 983-7000
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The deals: Appetizers range from $1.50 to $6 and include such options as jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce; asiago and Parmesan garlic cheese bread; and oysters flown in daily from the Pacific Northwest. Or maybe you'll choose the No. 1 appetizer, the beef tenderloin Wellington, made with a filet mignon steak, mushrooms and a brandy peppercorn sauce, puff pastry and served with a Béarnaise sauce. As far as drinks go, beer on tap is $4; well drinks, $5; and wine by the glass, from $5 to $7.50. Specialty cocktails are $6.50 during happy hour. Try the Special K, a twist on a cosmopolitan (made with pomegranate juice) or cherry lemontini.
Hacienda Del Rio Restaurant and Cantina
702 Sutter St., Folsom
(916) 351-1800
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday during football season
The deals: For just $3, choose from draft beers, well drinks, and margaritas. If you're hungry, get tacos for $2 or an appetizer such as the popular queso dip, nachos or flautas for $3. During football season, on Sundays, happy hour lasts all day and the game plays on TV.
Boneshaker Brewery and Public House
2168 Sunset Blvd., No. 104, Rocklin
(916) 259-2337
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. - midnight Saturday
Happy hours: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday
The deals: Boneshaker carries 20 craft beers and offers a dollar off all beers during happy hour. Expect to pay $4.75 to $6 for your drink, and get chips and salsa on the side for $3. If you're craving something else, the appetizers are big enough for two and cost on average $8. They include bruschetta, a hummus plate, or papas bravas (potato wedges with a spicy, tomato-based sauce).
Do you know of a bar that has amazingly good deals on drinks and food? Share the scoop with The Bee, and we'll highlight it as part of this new Night Life feature. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.
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